Ash and Paul's rivalry battle came to an end.

The densely packed audience in the stadium still hadn't left.

Because in just one hour, Teacher Lu's quarterfinal match would begin!

The Lily of the Valley Conference forum had numerous posts discussing this upcoming battle.

After all, Teacher Lu had completely outplayed Kōhei with tactics in the first round;

then displayed coordination mastery in the second round;

Just yesterday, Teacher Lu achieved the incredible feat of sweeping three opponents with an unevolved pseudo-legendary.

No one knew what new tricks Teacher Lu might pull in a full 6v6 battle!

"Fast forward to the classic torment combo of Spikes, Minimize, Perish Song and Hypnosis..."

"He's way too meticulous, treating every casual match seriously!"

"Tactics, coordination, TCG, team synergy...pick your specialty, Teacher Lu won't drop a single point!"

There seemed to be something strange mixed in there.

But no matter.

The most important task now was defeating seeded challenger Yuto and advancing to semifinals.

Adhering to the principle that "information warfare is key to victory",

Teacher Lu sought out the mysterious trio dressed in plain clothes.

"It's all in there, nya~"

Meowth wore a trenchcoat and sunglasses like Sherlock Holmes, holding a pipe between his teeth as it slipped a rolled-up newspaper into Lu Ye's hands while passing by.

"Stay in touch." James and Jessie stood on either side of Lu Ye, tipping their hats.

Lu Ye nodded slightly with a serious expression, whispering: "Our operation codename is—"

"Operation Eliminate Sylveon...I mean Operation Eliminate Persian!" Meowth waved its claws.

You totally revealed your true intentions!

Lu Ye's expression turned odd.

So the plan to eliminate Team Rocket was formulated by Meowth?

"Fufu~" Sylveon looked down at Meowth with cold eyes that made its fur stand on end.

After Teacher Lu left, Meowth's legs gave out as it tearfully said:

"Those eyes were terrifying, nya~!"

"Serves you right for coveting the position next to the executive," James said while crossing his arms.

"Exactly," Jessie put her hands on her hips. "We should focus on our stall to raise funds for the executive's grand plan!"

"Then maybe the executive will pat my head too, nya~!" Meowth snickered.

"Jessie could debut as a coordinator," James rubbed his hands together. "And I can collect Kalos expansion packs!"

"What a wonderful feeling~!" The trio laughed foolishly.

"So~ nan su!"

Sylveon strutted proudly, its bow extending pink-white ribbons as it walked gracefully ahead on slender limbs.

"Fufu~o(´^｀)o"

Lu Ye sat on a bench, flipping through the newspaper while rubbing Arcanine's big head as it leaned over.

"Let's have Arcanine go first this time," Lu Ye smiled. "After taking so many hits in team battles, it's time to show the world what it can do."

"Ruff!ᕦ(･ㅂ･)ᕤ" Arcanine lowered its head with a dopey grin.

Arcanine's endurance and vitality were well-known.

More importantly...while other Fire-types typically held Charcoal remnants from the Flame of Life,

This Arcanine not only had Moltres feathers, but even the Rainbow Wing containing the Flame of Life was nearly "tamed" by Teacher Lu!

It was no exaggeration to call it the most resilient Pokémon in team battles!

Rainbow Wing: ?

"Ruff?" Arcanine looked down at the shimmering feather around its neck flickering unsteadily.

Lu Ye casually channeled Aura, saying: "Don't worry about it, just perform as usual."

The Rainbow Wing slowly unfurled, releasing radiant sparkles!

"Fufu~!" Sylveon sat beside Lu Ye's feet, lazily stretching its front paws.

At such a young age, Teacher Lu already enjoyed the happiness of having both cats and dogs.

Although Sylveon's prototype was a fox-like canid...Teacher Lu still treated it like a tsundere cat.

"Fufu~(*･ω-q)"

Seeing Sylveon getting sleepy, Lu Ye couldn't help but chuckle.

Who wouldn't be enchanted by this adorable little thing?

Though one Hyper Beam could shatter an Aggron to pieces...

Continuing to review Team Rocket's intel,

Lu Ye became increasingly certain this was that background character from the anime finals.

An utterly ordinary male NPC whose hobby was humblebragging, with catchphrases like "No way, no way?"

He had skills...but compared to his abilities, his personality was rather grating.

According to pre-match interviews, Yuto confidently stated he would meet Darkrai in finals and defeat him with his trump card.

But since he encountered a strong opponent early...he'd just have to use that trump card against Teacher Lu first.

"What are your expected results?" the female host asked.

"About fifty-fifty against Darkrai," Yuto smiled. "Against Teacher Lu...I won't say I can win, but taking three or four points shouldn't be a problem."

Watching the interview footage of this boastful trainer,

Lu Ye froze momentarily.

How am I worthy of others using trump cards against me!

I'm just a newbie who barely defeated Arceus!

My next opponent sounds terrifying~~

Realizing he was being influenced by Sirfetch'd, Lu Ye coughed dryly.

"Let's go, time for the match."

Lu Ye stood up. "Let's see what this trump card is!"

"Ruff!(｀0´)" Arcanine roared majestically.

That afternoon.

Lily of the Valley Conference quarterfinals.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Lily of the Valley Conference quarterfinals!"

The host's shouts ignited the audience's passion as cheers erupted.

Ash leaned on the railing with Pikachu on his shoulder, behind him sat Ami in a white dress and Aogen in a suit with a top hat.

"Look, Teacher Lu is entering!" Ash cheered excitedly: "Go Teacher Lu!"

A familiar figure approached, making Ash exclaim: "Y-you! Why are you here!"

"Here to observe the teacher's match," Paul said coldly. "With the teacher's personal guidance, I wouldn't have lost to you."

"You could ask Teacher Lu for advice too," Ash scratched his head smiling. "We can battle again!"

Paul's expression remained cool, but a faint smile appeared as he murmured: "The match is starting."

Rumble—

The battlefield rose—a standard arena for 6v6 battles.

After announcing the rules, the referee suddenly waved the flag: "Begin!!"

"Go, Magnezone!" Yuto threw his Poké Ball.

The UFO-shaped Magnezone gathered pale blue magnetic waves between its U-shaped magnets, its red eyes fixed on Lu Ye's position.

Lu Ye simultaneously held a Luxury Ball as a beam of white light shot out, revealing Arcanine's form.

"Ruff!!" Arcanine's mane glittered in sunlight as it roared majestically, its imposing aura stunning the audience!

The flowing mane, massive size, and glossy coat all showcased Arcanine's exceptional training.

After a brief silence, the crowd erupted in thunderous cheers!

Flint stood by the second-floor window, scratching his spiky hair:

"Wow...I'm so jealous of Teacher Lu!"

Just the Eternal Feather and Rainbow Wing alone could raise an entire Fire-type team!

Yet Teacher Lu, not even a Fire specialist, piled them all on one Arcanine—

I'm getting salty here!

Lucian crossed his legs while reading, glancing at the battlefield.

"Hurry up," Lucian said without looking up. "Get the medical team ready..."

Seeing Teacher Lu's Arcanine, Yuto tensed up.

Intimidate didn't affect special attacker Magnezone—if Thunder Wave hit—

As if Teacher Lu would allow such cheap tactics!

Boom!!

At the Flare Blitz command, Arcanine crouched then charged forward explosively!

The ground cracked beneath its paws as scorching waves spread, Arcanine's mane glowing red before bursting into flames!

The audience held their breath as a blazing fireball shot past, followed by a thunderous explosion!

BOOM!!

Flames bloomed across the field as Arcanine slammed into Magnezone, heat distorting the air!

CRASH!!

Arcanine landed with recoil, cracking the ground.

Then it smirked at the flame-engulfed Magnezone.

BOOM!!

Another explosion erupted as Magnezone's body leaked light, collapsing midair amid deafening noise.

The scorched battlefield made Yuto shudder.

His blackened Magnezone fell like a downed UFO with a heavy thud.

Before the trainer could speak, the match was already decided!

After a stunned moment, the crowd roared!

"One-shot KO!" Ash cheered, "Hey Paul, one-shot KO!!"

"I saw," Paul said wryly, recalling his own Pokémon being OHKO'd by Infernape. Read full story at novel⦿fire.net

The atmosphere then had been just as electric.

"Nothing," Aogen clapped lightly, "gets the crowd going like this approach."

"Quite similar to Champion Cynthia," Ami blinked. "Ending battles in one strike!"

The so-called "stall" strategy—

If I knock out all opponents, I'll always stay on field!!

"Ruff!" Arcanine's triumphant roar whipped the crowd into another frenzy.

Lu Ye turned his gaze to the dazed Yuto, saying sincerely: "I know you've got a real trump card!"

"R-real trump card?!"

Yuto paled, stepping back uncertainly before stiffening: "Hah, of course!"

"Go, Empoleon!"